Vise Grip Kinetic Analysis:
MSC ADAMS
This is my personal Summer 2021 Project
In my undergraduate design courses, I was introduced to a powerful kinematic and dynamic analysis tool: MSC ADAM. During the summer of 2021, I spent time after work at my internship to learn ADAMS and to truly become proficient with the versatile tool.
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To develop my skills I decided to model a mechanism that embodies incredible engineering design: the Vise Grip. This mechanism makes beautiful use of a 4-bar linkage to achieve mechanical advantage. I grabbed a vise grip from my toolbox, took some critical measurements, and reflected the design of the linkage in ADAMS. The video to the right shows the vise grip moving through its range of motion.
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I also performed a dynamic analysis by hand using two techniques to prove that I have successfully captured the dynamics of the mechanism. The mechanical advantage is solved in the images below for the orientation of the vise grip shown (very similar results between methods). Due to the nature of the output force on the vise grip compressing an external body, the output force was unable to be found in ADAMS (still learning how to use ADAMS). However, a velocity and acceleration analysis can be performed for each of the links in the vise grip in ADAMS.
4 Bar Linkage Decomposition
Method I: FBD Force Analysis
Mechanical Advantage (M.A. ≈ 2.57)
Method II: Instant Centers Analysis
Mechanical Advantage (M.A. ≈ 2.62)
What I Learned
From this project, I learned the discipline and dedication it takes to self-learn a new concept. I also realized this with my pool skimmer project. The process of learning a difficult concept always follows the same learning curve. There is a long initial period of discouraging failures, then reward comes with perseverance and reflection.